Specialist Property & State Income Tax

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CPKC seeks a Specialist Property and State Income Tax to lead property tax across 18 states from Kansas City, MO, ensuring accurate filings, data integrity, timely payments, accruals, and forecasting while driving audits, SOX controls, and tax planning enhancements. The role partners with Finance to align tax and financial reporting, and to identify savings opportunities, while implementing automation. Requirements include a Bachelor’s in Accounting or Finance, CPA or CMI preferred, 4+ years in centrally assessed property tax or similar, strong state and local tax knowledge, ERP SAP proficiency, and 10 to 15 percent travel. To apply, highlight multistate property tax experience, audit leadership, SOX compliance, measurable improvements, and cross functional collaboration; reference Req ID 106150 and emphasize onsite availability in Kansas City.

Join CPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad connecting U.S., Canada, and Mexico, where your career drives progress and safety is paramount. We connect communities, fuel economic growth, and provide meaningful work in a culture that values diversity, accountability, and pride. With opportunities for training, development, and advancement, you’re not just building a career—you’re part of something bigger. Together, we move goods, connect people, and create lasting change. Your future starts here.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The Specialist Property and State Income Tax will lead and oversee all property and state income tax activities for the U.S. subsidiaries of CPKC, a Class I railroad operating across 18 states. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant tax reporting, while providing strategic guidance, managing audits, and driving process improvements.

The Specialist will collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders, and will play a key role in strengthening internal controls, supporting tax planning initiatives, and enhancing overall tax efficiency.

The position is located in Kansas City, MO.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead and oversee property tax compliance across approximately 18 states, ensuring the accurate and timely preparation and filing of property tax returns
• Manage the collection, validation, and analysis of data required for property tax reporting and filings
• Review and approve property tax payments, ensuring compliance with deadlines and accuracy of amounts
• Oversee monthly property tax accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting processes
• Lead property tax forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis, providing insights to support financial planning and decision-making
• Lead and coordinate property tax audits, including managing relationships with tax authorities and external advisors
• Identify opportunities for tax savings and support tax planning initiatives to optimize the organization’s tax position
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, including Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements, and drive continuous improvement in tax processes and controls
• Monitor and interpret changes in federal, state, and local tax legislation, assessing impacts to the organization and recommending appropriate actions
• Provide cross-functional leadership and guidance within the Tax Department, supporting broader tax initiatives and projects as needed
• Partner with Finance and Accounting teams to ensure alignment between tax reporting and financial reporting
• Implement and enhance tax systems, tools, and automation to improve efficiency and data accuracy
• Perform and/or review complex tax research and provide recommendations to support business decisions

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (CPA, CMI or similar designation strongly preferred)
• Minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in centrally assessed property tax (strongly preferred), or other relevant experience
• Strong knowledge of state and local tax regulations, including centrally assessed property tax
• Experience managing tax audits, compliance, and reporting across multiple jurisdictions
• Knowledge of railroad operations and industry-specific tax considerations is considered an asset
• Advanced experience with excel and ERP systems (SAP experience preferred)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex tax regulations and apply practical solutions
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, manage competing priorities, and meet tight deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Proven ability to lead and mentor team members while fostering a collaborative work environment
• Ability to travel as necessary (10-15%)

WHAT CPKC HAS TO OFFER:

• Flexible and competitive benefits package
• Competitive company pension plan
• Employee Share Purchase Plan
• Performance Incentive Program
• Annual Fitness Subsidy
• Part-time Studies Program

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Drug Testing

This position is subject to a negative company drug test.

Background Investigation

• Criminal history check
• Education verification
• Professional references
• Social Security Number verification

BECOMING A RAILROADER:

As an employee with a North American presence, the possibility does exist that the location of your position may be changed based on organizational requirements.

Management Conductor Program

Becoming a qualified conductor or locomotive engineer is the single best way for a management employee to learn the business at CPKC. You may be required to obtain a certification or to maintain your current certification/qualification as a conductor or locomotive engineer.

CULTURE OF INCLUSION:

For our U.S. applicants, CPKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For Canadian applicants CPKC is an employment equity employer committed to the principles of employment equity and inclusion. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply including: women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities. Accommodations for the job application process can be provided, as appropriate, upon request. All applicant information will be managed in accordance with the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

• Req ID: 106150
• Department: Finance & Accounting
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Position Type: Non-Union
• Location: Kansas City, Missouri
• Country: United States
• % of Travel: 10-20%
• # of Positions: 1
• Job Grade: 4
• Job Available to: Internal & External

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